What does olive wood look like?

Every year when we prune our trees, crossing branches, unwanted "water shoots", and smaller exhausted fruiting shoots are put through the chipper, and scattered right back under the tree as mulch.

Part of the pruning process however, is removing branches, or parts of branches, to "open up" the canopy, to re-shape, to lower the fruiting canopy, and to promote renewal and rejuvenation of the fruiting wood.

Some of these off-cuts are small and straggly (but great for firewood the following winter) while others can be substantial and, well, simply too good to burn! So what to do with those?

The answer is to trim them, store them out of the weather for a number of years to let them dry naturally, then have my good friend (and ex-neighbour) Ian Hunter cast his eye over the pile, take selected pieces back to his workshop and "do his magic". Here's just a small sample...

The timber is great to work with, according to Ian, and as you can see, each piece is unique. The appeal of residual bark on some pieces, combined with the grain and colour of the wood, results in natural and sustainable art, combining beauty with practicality.

From bud-vases and candle holders, to drinks coasters, this gives an insight into just some of the uses of olive wood, after years of contributing to the production of our extra virgin olive oil.

Please contact Ian directly if you'd like to ask questions or discuss having your very own olive wood pieces for yourself, or as unique gifts. He also works magic with many other varieties of wood, and would (pun intended!!!) be happy to email his latest catalogue to you.